Project Background

The proposed County Road 12 Extension Project includes construction of a new road from County Road 17 to State Highway 83 in the southeastern portion of Mankato. The proposed roadway extension is the 5th project planned along the County Road 12 corridor in the Greater Mankato Area. Previous County Road 12 improvement projects include the bridge over the CP Railroad, the U.S. 14 interchange, and the County Road 12 connection between County Road 3 and County Road 17. The project history map (3.3 MB) illustrates the entire County Road 12 corridor from the Mankato Regional Airport to State Highway 83.

Project Need

The County Road 12 extension is an important project that would enhance system connectivity for the Greater Mankato Area which continues to develop as a regional hub for agriculture, manufacturing, education, health care, and retail. Increased mobility throughout the southeastern portion of Mankato will help address congestion and traffic safety as the area continues to grow.

A technical memorandum (1.3 MB) was prepared in September 2013 that describes the purpose and need for the proposed County Road 12 extension. The transportation need for the proposed County Road 12 extension project includes the following:

Transportation Demand: Provide the transportation infrastructure needed to support planned land uses in the eastern Mankato growth area.

System Connectivity: Provide an efficient connection between the planned land uses south of County Road 17, the existing and planned industrial uses north of U.S. 14, and the Mankato Regional Airport.

Roadway Capacity: Carver Road/586th Avenue consists of a two-lane paved city street/gravel town road that extends from County Road 17 to State Highway 83. In the future, traffic volumes on this roadway are projected to range from approximately 12,000 vehicles per day (vpd) to greater than 20,000 vpd based on planned land uses south of County Road 17. Carver Road/586th Avenue does not have adequate capacity to meet future traffic demand.

Alternatives Evaluation

A range of alternative alignment locations for the County Road 12 extension were identified and evaluated in winter 2013/spring 2014. The following technical memorandum describes the alternatives considered for the proposed County Road 12 extension, the alternatives evaluation process, and identification of a preferred alternative alignment.

Concept Design

The future County Road 12 alignment would extend from the existing County Road 12/17 roundabout to the State Highway 83/586th Avenue intersection. Approximately 0.9-mile of the corridor would follow the existing Carver Road/586th Avenue roadway, from north of Hoffman Road to State Highway 83.

The Concept Design Layout illustrates anticipated right of way "footprint" for future County Road 12 from County Road 17 to State Highway 83.

Environmental Documentation

Findings of Fact and Conclusion & Negative Declaration Resolution

The County Road 12 Findings of Fact and Conclusions (FOF&C) document summarizes the potential environmental impacts of the project and identifies permits and approvals required prior to project construction. Comments received on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), and responses to these comments, are included in Appendix B of the FOF&C document.

Blue Earth County has determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required for the project, and passed a Negative Declaration Resolution at the September 9, 2014 County Board meeting. The Negative Declaration concludes the State environmental review process for the project.

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The County Road 12 Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is available for public review. Copies of the EAW are also available for review during normal business hours at the Blue Earth County Public Works Department (35 Map Drive, Mankato) and the Blue Earth County Library (100 E Main Street, Mankato).

Public Involvement

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An open house meeting for the County Road 12 Extension Project was held on Tuesday, August 12 at the Blue Earth County Public Works Department in Mankato. The concept layout for the future County Road 12 roadway was on display, and personnel from the Blue Earth County Public Works Department were available to discuss the project and answer any questions.